A superstar comedian, the Children’s Laureate, a penguin-loving dragon and some baby aliens are all shortlisted for the Red House Children’s Book Award 2015 – chosen and voted for entirely by children.

The Red House Children’s Book Award 2015 shortlist has been announced. Among those shortlisted are funnyman and bestselling children’s author- and winner of the 2013 Younger Readers category – David Walliams, Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, awards veteran and winner of the 2013 Older Readers category Sophie McKenzie and debut author Pamela Butchart. In a year during which the literacy of the nation’s children has been such a key issue, what could be a better indicator of the books likely to encourage reading for pleasure than a list drawn up by children across the country?

Here is the shortlist in full:

Younger ChildrenDragon Loves Penguin by Debi Gliori (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children’ Books)Go to Sleep or I Let Loose the Leopard by Steve Cole and Bruce Ingman (Jonathan Cape)That is NOT a Good Idea by Mo Willems (Walker Books)

Sarah Stuffins, chair of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, says: ‘The day we announce the shortlist is always exciting and this year is no exception. The FCBG children have chosen another great list – ranging from past winners of the overall prize Sophie McKenzie and Malorie Blackman to debut author Pamela Butchart. Now it’s time for children all over the UK to vote for the winners – it will be fascinating to see what they choose.’

Seni Glaister, CEO of the Book People says: ‘As ever, it’s children that have come up with this truly excellent shortlist – and it’s the nation’s children that will decide the winners. Any child is eligible to vote and experience has taught me to have every faith in them and their decisions. They unerringly spot great writing talent and, often, they spot it first. Michael Morpurgo, J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness and Malorie Blackman are all previous winners – and thanks to the voters, the Red House Children’s Book Award is among the first awards they win. It’s all about grass roots – these are the books today’s children are reading, enjoying, talking about and really engaging with.’

Who will win? Children nationwide are now invited to vote for their favourite of the ten shortlisted books. The category winners and the author of the best children’s book published in the 2015 nomination period will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony which takes place in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at Southbank Centre in London on Saturday 21st February 2015.

The Red House Children’s Book Award, the only national award for children’s books that is voted for entirely by children themselves, is highly respected by teachers, parents and librarians, and has brought acclaim and strong sales to past winners such as J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness, Suzanne Collins, Michael Morpurgo, Andy Stanton, Malorie Blackman and Anthony Horowitz. The award has often been the first to recognise the future stars of children’s fiction and has the ability to turn popular authors into bestsellers. It is now in its 35th year and is owned and run by the Federation of Children’s Book Group

A dedicated website showcases all the shortlisted titles and featured authors. Any child can vote here for their favourite book until mid-January 2015.